Official statement of Center for Environmental Concerns – Philippines on low prioritization of the environment in the 2026 budget

The Center for Environmental Concerns – Philippines condemns the Philippine government for its persistent abuse and neglect of the environment as revealed in the proposed 2026 national budget. This comes amid massive corruption surrounding flood control projects.

The environmental budget as presented in the 2026 National Expenditure Program, currently under scrutiny in Senate and Congressional hearings [1], reveals the government’s gross misprioritization and greenwashing. Out of the total Php 6.793 trillion national budget, the DENR only receives Php 29.3 billion (0.43%), a paltry sum compared to the huge budgets of other agencies like DPWH (12.97%, 2nd largest) and DND (4.4%, 4th largest). 
For 2026, the Marcos Jr. administration’s environmental response primarily involves continuing the construction of anomalous infrastructure projects, allocating Php 881.3 billion to the DPWH. Recently, DPWH made headlines for its 9,855 flood control projects worth over Php 545 billion from 2022 to 2025. The latest hearings and data from reputable think tanks like Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) [2] have revealed that not only contractors, like billionaire couple Pacifico “Curlee” II and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, are involved, but politicians also benefited from the corruption behind these failed flood control projects

Larger allocation for infrastructure represents the lack of prioritization of environmental protection and climate justice, the proliferation of false solutions, and the prioritization of profit and kickbacks over the real needs of the people.

Moreover, Php 1.556 trillion has been allocated for the continuation of the ‘Build Better More’ Program. These flagship infrastructure projects of the BBM administration often come at a huge cost to the environment and local communities. An example is the China-funded Kaliwa Dam [3], which continues to devastate and displace the Dumagat-Remontado Indigenous People. 

The Marcos Jr. administration has allotted a higher prioritization for DOTr, giving it Php 198.6 B, despite it heading railway projects that are often delayed and serve as a source of greenwashing and corruption kickbacks. In 2024, VERAfiles [4] reported an inconsistency with the DOTr’s progress report on the Malolos-Clark Railway project. 

These agencies’ budgets lie in stark contrast with the DENR’s, which is further misallocated. The National Greening Program (NGP) is given only Php 1.66 billion, which is less than 0.025% of the national budget. A recent investigative report [5] shows that the NGP, since its founding in 2011, has failed to live up to its promise of protecting forests and replenishing deforested land with indigenous species. Instead, it has become a flagship greenwashing program. 

Funding for biodiversity and landscape protection has also decreased by 65%, from Php 8.83 billion in 2025 to Php 3.08 billion in 2026. This is no wonder, as the government continues to value kickbacks from mega-infrastructure building, over funding nature-based solutions.

Moreover, only Php 349 million is set aside for solid waste management despite a growing crisis reflected in Manila’s need to dump its garbage at New San Mateo Sanitary Landfill [6]. Additionally, the Php 1.24 billion allocated for rehabilitation of Manila Bay appears insubstantial, given that harmful reclamation projects and dredging persist.  

On top of the environmental crisis, agriculture has been at its worst during Marcos Jr. ‘s presidency, gaining only a 0.2% growth [7]. For 2026, Build Better More projects will be given 1.556 trillion, while agriculture remains low, having only 239.2 B.

Funds across the national budget tagged as climate-related also bloat and misrepresent what can be mobilized for genuine and just climate action. While Php 983 billion of the total budget is tagged as targeted funds for climate adaptation and mitigation under the Climate Change Expenditure Tagging system of the government, in reality, 76.7% of these funds go to DPWH, 13% to DOTr, 3.99% to DA, and only a mere 1% is allocated for DENR. Examining the tagging of funds according to the strategic priorities of the National Climate Change Action Plan for 2011-2028, the highest amount goes towards sustainable energy. Yet on the ground, “green” energy transition harms and devastates the lives of locals. An example of this is Barangay Paguludan-Salindeg in Currimao town, Ilocos Norte, where the increase of solar farms has worsened heat and flooding [8]. Moreover, renewable energy projects are also accompanied by militarization and displacement of Indigenous Peoples [9]. 

The government’s allotted budget for genuine environmental protection and rehabilitation reflects a devastating reality of weak climate action, unsustainable energy projects, and an administration that brands itself as “green” but enables greed and corruption at the expense of communities. 

The environmental neglect of the government is reflected both on paper and on ground. The budget process has also been marked by a lack of transparency, as seen in how the Office of the President’s budget was approved without much resistance from lawmakers. 

CEC calls on the Marcos Jr. administration to uphold genuine environmental and climate action in the national budget. The President must take accountability—not only the contractors or agency officials—for the massive corruption and environmental destruction enabled by his administration.

Sources:

[1] Department of Budget and Management. (2025). Briefer on the 2026 proposed national budget. https://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/Our%20Budget/2026/Briefer-on-the-2026-Proposed-National-Budget.pdf

[2] Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. (2025, August 31). 5 reveals from the flood control data. https://pcij.org/2025/08/31/5-reveals-from-the-flood-control-data/

[3] IBON Foundation. (2023, June 2). The expensive and harmful Build Better More. https://www.ibon.org/the-expensive-and-harmful-build-better-more/

[4] Vera Files. (2024, November 14). Fact check: DOTr misleads with conflicting progress reports on Malolos-Clark railway project. https://verafiles.org/articles/fact-check-dotr-misleads-with-conflicting-progress-reports-on-malolos-clark-railway-project

[5] Thibi. (2025, May 19). National greenwashing program. https://site.thibi.co/originals/national-greenwashing-program

[6] MSN News. (2025, August 28). San Mateo, Rizal mayor opposes disposal of Manila’s waste to town’s landfill. https://www.msn.com/en-ph/urban-infrastructure/waste-management/san-mateo-rizal-mayor-opposes-disposal-of-manila-s-waste-to-town-s-landfill/ar-AA1Lqx3r

[7] IBON Foundation. (2025, July 29). Worst performing agri. https://www.ibon.org/worst-performing-agri/

[8] Bulatlat. (2025, July 4). As more solar farms rise, Ilocos Norte community fears worsening climate impacts. https://www.bulatlat.com/2025/07/04/as-more-solar-farms-rise-ilocos-norte-community-fears-worsening-climate-impacts/

[9] Bulatlat. (2025, July 25). Greed in green: Marcos Jr.’s green agenda masks profit-driven plunder. https://www.bulatlat.org/2025/07/25/greed-in-green-marcos-jr-s-green-agenda-masks-profit-driven-plunder/